Don't "Falls" Down: Rickett's Glen State Park, Pennsylvania
Written: Jul 25 '01 (Updated Aug 09 '01)
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Pros: Great views, great waterfalls, long and short trails, nice beach
Cons: serious accidents have occurred there
The Bottom Line: There is a great variety of trails here for all hikers and interests. You've got to go see these waterfalls: "94 feet?" "Yes, 94 feet high. See for yourself."
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| baby.baby's Full Review: Ricketts Glen State Park |
Before You Go
This is terrific for anyone, both organized groups and families, but I think it's spectacular if you're with your significant other. Make sure you wear comfortable hiking shoes if you want to see big waterfalls along Falls Trail, such as Ganoga (I believe is it's name), which measures 94 feet! Also, make sure you where comfortable, breathable fabrics. The bugs aren't bad, I've never needed the bug spray... actually I haven't thought about it at all until now. Take your camera and maybe light snacks if you plan on being out for long lengths at a time, but leave everything else behind, especially when hiking the 4-6 mile trails. I suggest going when it's not sweltering hot, and when it hasn't rained endlessly. There have been many times the trails near the falls have been rerouted due to natural difficulties. It is really nice to go just when spring is coming after a long, icy winter. You might not see snow or ice anywhere else near your home, but you might just see some huge chunks here!
If it has been rainy, or snowy for that matter, wear old clothes! This is red rock here... it shows no mercy... if you don't know what I mean by that, take heed, my dear, you will know as soon as you step out of your car.
Whether you look up or down
...from the Falls Trail or another scenic overlook, you'll get a miraculous view. Take along extra stability if you plan on looking around.
Hopefully you can make it up the road, it doesn't give way, it continuously goes up and around. You can pull over at various points along the way, it makes for a great view of the landscape and of the sunset. Once you get to the park you can pick up a park map at the office and start planning out your little trip. There is a nice big beach for swimming and an area to go boating and fishing. You can enjoy fishing all year round and also cross-country skiing in the winter. There are also trails for horse riders and snow mobiles. For the hunter in you or your family, there is land where you can hunt; use caution.
The entire Falls Trail is ~ 6 miles if you go the whole way. It's extremely steep at points so unless you're pretty experienced I wouldn't go alone. When you come to the bottom of different falls you can enter the water if your brave enough... it makes for a great picture! So take off your shoes and socks and roll up your pant legs. Splish, Splash! However, there have been a few accidents along this trail and these stories are posted when you first get to the trail. There are shorter trails, some coming in under a mile, a few right around a mile and some in between one and six miles. You can also do the long Falls Trail in segments they have set out... but you will have to walk back to your tent or car.
If you dare not venture out to the Falls Trail, but still wish to see some of these awesome falls, you can go on Ganoga View Trail and get some brief views into a valley and you can hear people on the Falls Trail. It is half as long and considered moderately difficult as compared to very difficult.
Many ages and groups hike along the trails. People stop for lunch at various parts, but there are enough spots to not be crowded. You might run into some moderately sized crowds, but no one's in a hurry, just keep your feet safely on the trails and say hi. Make sure your kids are wearing comfortable clothes and good shoes if your taking them on the Falls Trail - they will probably be less worried about it all than you are.
There are different types of trails. Some of them are flatter than others, some are steeper, some have you crossing the river on rocks - be careful!!! Three out of the ten trails aren't blazed and these often require your utmost attention if you don't want to get lost. Don't feel alone if they are rerouting and you suddenly come to a fork in the road... go based on your instinct, think about where you came from and take a short walk and see where it seems to lead. You can also sit there for a few minutes and wait until someone comes the same way as you or comes from one of the forks. If they were near you the entire trail, they will probably be as confused as you - go the way neither party has gone :) If you don't recognize them, ask what trail they were on then pull out the map and guesstimate where you are. Don't rely on your map for these spur-of-the-minute updates. They have almost finished redoing the one corner of the trail. It's not rerouted anymore and there are signs telling you what to do when you come to a spot that has changed. (This corner containing Onondaga Falls was washed out recently and being reconstructed. Watch out for washed out parts of the trail when starting out at the park office and when walking along the bigger falls side.)
Beach trail is a nice flat trail where you can take a relaxing walk. The beach is right next to you, as are many campsites, and it's only .8 miles. It's even a nice experience if you've just come from one of the longer trails, Cherry Run (4.6 m), Mountain Springs (4 m), Old Bulldozer (2.9), or Falls Trail.
Old Bulldozer Trail has a very nice scenic area. It overlooks the low-lying land and you can see pretty far. It leads out to Mt. Springs Lake and starts near Highland Trail and Waters Meet Trail.
Resting After Your Hike
You've pressed yourself to the max. Hiked more than one trail or all of the Falls Trail. Hiked around bends, up and down a few times, stood right in the water where the waterfall hits bottom, now you're ready to lay down in your bed or eat your food since you didn't want to carry it with you. Well, what better place to go than under the nice sun (if it's out) on a padded bed of sand, near some more (but maybe calmer) water. Head on over to the beach. If you're too tired to walk, then you can drive and park near there.
Don't forget to develop your film.
Short bit about my experiences
I've never gone camping here. My favorite trail (as you can probably see by now) is the Falls Trail. It's exciting, great exercise, and really opens up your mind to natural relaxation. Take your camera.
The first time I ever went hiking was to Ricketts Glen. I chose to do the Falls Trail even though there were warnings of its steepness and difficulty and accidents. I started out thinking, "This isn't too bad, what are they talking about?" After about five minutes, we started downhill on a steep, narrow, non-blazed path. I was a bit nervous at times. I've always done the whole trail. I hadn't known what I was really getting myself into at first; I didn't realize they had separated the trail into four smaller ones. Here I was thinking it was only 1.8 miles or so. My short glance at the map had fooled me, but it was great nonetheless. We took little breaks here and there and I was very proud of my accomplishments. I had early worries before I had even gotten there - bees, bears, falling, getting lost, etc. Like I said, I had never been hiking or to a state park before. I am a worrier also... I worry about everything. Realizing that I had made it to the end of the entire 6 mile trail without any accidents in a short amount of time, my worries lessened, I was intrigued, and ready to go again - another day :)
My Recommendation for hiking the Fall's Trail
The first few times I went, we started at the same spot. This was intentional - it's much easier to do the very narrow, steep part first when you're able to do it going down. You end up with the easier part of the trail (Highland Trail - no falls just foresty land, relatively flat, nothing nerve-racking) at the end when you're ready to fall asleep. If you want to do it this way, it'll be right at the camp office. If you come in off 487 or off some roads leading to their private road and Lake Jean, you'll see part of Lake Jean (where you can go fishing and boating) to your left and a parking lot and the camp office caddy corner on your right hand side. Park there and then walk down the red rock path, passing the organized group tent area. (If you're lucky, they might have it opened and you can drive right down this lengthy path to the entrance. It's very mushy here when it rains, though, so expect to walk a little more.
Be sure to bear to the right after you come to the sign announcing the start of the Falls Trail after walking down the pathway or you'll go to Highland Trail (one of the 4 parts of Falls Trail, see previous paragraph) first. You'll meet the highest falls and be walking on the steepest part (not that it isn't steep at more parts along the way, but it isn't steep for as long as it is here.. usually just a few tall steps elsewhere). You can also cut off a few miles since the one trail has you going from Rt. 118 (sort of opposite the camp office entrance) to water's meet. You can add those miles back though by hiking down this trail to see three more water falls and back again to get on your trail. You'll understand these directions better when you get there and see it all for yourself :) You can do basically the same thing by starting out near Water's Meet and hiking across the bridge first and then down the steep falls part. This is just my recommendation if your not very experienced.
Check out the other reviews I've written about parks I've been to:
*Hickory Run: http://e.epinions.com/content_32935612036 -- Exciting Rock Adventure
*Beltzville: http://e.epinions.com/content_22974992004 -- Nice flat, short trails, relaxing environment
*Promised Land: http://e.epinions.com/content_22986460804 -- Very Relaxing
*Locust Lake: http://e.epinions.com/content_22983577220 -- Smaller, not as adventurous park
*Big Pocono State Park: http://www.epinions.com/content_22979055236 -- Great Views
*Rickett's Glen: http://e.epinions.com/content_33054756484 -- Adventurous Trail
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: March-May
Recommended for: Couples
Review Topic: Hiking & Trails
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Epinions.com ID:
baby.baby
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Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
I like reading, writing, gymnastics, swimming, and learning.
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